What Is Type Training and Why It Matters for Your Licence
For licensed aircraft engineers, type training is more than a formality. It plays a vital role in turning your licence into real career opportunities. Whether you are newly licensed or looking to broaden your options, understanding how type training works and choosing the right course can have a significant impact on your aviation career.
At Bostonair Group, we support engineers at every stage of their journey, combining approved aircraft type training with real recruitment insight to help aviation professionals stay compliant, current and in demand.
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What Is Aircraft Type Training?
Aircraft type training is specialist, aircraft specific training that allows licensed engineers to work on and certify a particular aircraft type. It builds on your Part 66 licence by providing detailed knowledge of aircraft systems, structure, maintenance practices and operational requirements.
A typical type training course includes:
- Aircraft systems and technical theory
- Practical maintenance tasks and procedures
- Fault diagnosis and troubleshooting techniques
- Aircraft limitations, safety considerations and documentation
Once completed and endorsed, type training enables engineers to certify work on that aircraft in line with EASA and UK CAA requirements.
Why Type Training Is Essential for Your Licence
Holding a Part 66 licence is an important milestone, but without relevant type ratings its practical use can be limited. Type training is what keeps your licence active, relevant and employable.
Type training matters because it:
- Allows you to legally certify work on specific aircraft
- Keeps your licence operational and current
- Supports ongoing regulatory compliance
- Opens access to a wider range of roles and operators
In a competitive market, engineers with current type training are consistently prioritised by airlines and MROs.
How Type Training Impacts Your Career Opportunities
From a recruitment perspective, type training is often one of the first things employers look for. Engineers with the right type ratings are easier to place, quicker to mobilise and more attractive for both contract and permanent roles.
Engineers with in-demand type training typically benefit from:
- Greater access to contract and permanent opportunities
- Improved earning potential and job security
- Increased flexibility to move between operators
- Eligibility for urgent and specialist roles
At Bostonair, we see first hand how the right training can accelerate career progression and open doors to new opportunities.
Which Aircraft Type Ratings Are Most Valuable?
While demand changes over time, certain aircraft types continue to remain strong across the industry.
Currently in demand type ratings include:
- Airbus A320 Family including CEO and NEO
- Boeing 737 NG and MAX
- Airbus A330 and A350
- Boeing 777 and 787
- Embraer E Jet family and ATR aircraft
Choosing type training aligned with active fleets and long term demand can make a significant difference to your employability.
Why Choose Bostonair for Type Training?
Bostonair Group delivers approved Part 147 aircraft type training designed to be practical, relevant and aligned with real operational requirements. Courses are delivered by experienced aviation professionals who understand both regulatory expectations and the realities of working in live maintenance environments.
Bostonair type training is valued because:
- Courses are delivered by instructors with extensive industry experience
- Training reflects current aircraft operations and maintenance practices
- Both initial and refresher type training options are available
- Training decisions are informed by real recruitment demand
By combining training and recruitment expertise, Bostonair helps engineers invest in type training that genuinely supports their next career move.
Type Training for Contract and Permanent Engineers
Type training is equally important whether you work on contract or in a permanent role, but it supports each career path in slightly different ways.
For contract engineers, current type training is often the deciding factor in how quickly roles are secured and how wide the choice of opportunities will be. Up to date type ratings allow contractors to mobilise quickly, access higher demand assignments and remain competitive in a fast moving market. For permanent engineers, type training supports long term career development. It can open up progression opportunities, enable movement between fleets or departments and strengthen job security as operations evolve. Employers consistently value engineers who invest in maintaining relevant qualifications.
Bostonair works closely with engineers to ensure training choices support both immediate job opportunities and longer term career goals.
Keeping Your Skills Relevant in a Changing Industry
As aircraft technology advances and fleets continue to modernise, keeping skills current is more important than ever. Ongoing training helps engineers adapt to new systems, remain compliant with regulations and stay relevant within an increasingly competitive industry. Type training is not just about meeting minimum requirements. It is about maintaining professional confidence, operational capability and long term employability.
Demand for type rated engineers is expected to remain strong as fleets expand and experienced personnel remain in short supply. Engineers who hold current and relevant type training will continue to benefit from greater flexibility, improved career security and access to a wider range of opportunities. Whether you are planning your first type course or considering your next qualification, Bostonair is here to support you with expert guidance, approved training and practical aviation insight that aligns with real industry demand.